Bremen remains a holiday destination: rediscover your home!

Bremen remains a holiday destination: rediscover your home!

Nowadays, when many people's travel habits have changed, the hometown remains an attractive vacation option for many. Ann van Gerven, a native of Bremen, explores Friedrichstrasse and makes exciting discoveries, such as a new sundial. She uses her days off to rediscover Bremen. For Van Gerven, it is not necessary to travel abroad to relax; the peace and quiet in her home is more important to her. This idea reflects the current “staycation” trend, which is becoming increasingly popular.

The term “staycation,” once known as “holiday on the balcony,” describes vacationing at home. The pandemic has forced many people to change their original vacation plans and explore their own city or region instead. A 2021 survey by Simon-Kucher and Partners showed that 40% of respondents want to spend more time domestically. The ADAC reported that in 2022, 14% of Germans spent their vacation exclusively at home, while this number fell to 7% in 2024.

Growth of urban tourism

The recovery of the tourism sector since the end of the pandemic is clearly noticeable. In Vienna, surveys from 2024 showed that one in five people spend their vacation within the city limits. These changes suggest that the staycation trend may be here to stay in the long term. Van Gerven himself is convinced that many people have gotten used to traveling within their home country. Her last trip outside Germany took her to Denmark three years ago, but after just two days she was already longing for home.

In order to get the people of Bremen even more excited about their city, the Bremen Economic Development Agency (WFB) is committed to promoting local events and tourist offers. An interesting example of the discovery of the city is the offer of City stories of Bremen, which offers city tours with historical and modern aspects of the city.

Diverse city tours

The guided tours of Bremen City Stories are not only informative, but also offer the opportunity to enjoy small samples at various stations or to dine in two restaurants. These tours shed light on the stories behind the facades and combine exciting details with anecdotes and legends. They are suitable for different occasions, from company outings to family gatherings. Special themed tours that highlight unique aspects of the city are also part of the offer.

The tours can be carried out on foot, by bike or by bus. In the event that personal participation is not possible, the organizers also offer virtual city tours. This ensures that information about Bremen and its special features can be provided even in difficult times.

Van Gerven has her own tips for excursions in Bremen and is happy to share them. Her list includes city tours and bike tours that provide insight into the diversity of her hometown. Nowadays, when more and more people are rediscovering their surroundings, Bremen could become a popular destination for the next staycation for many.